Packaging machine



Feb, 21, 1928. 1,659,831

G. W. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. W.MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 JET/aw Feb.21, 1928. 1,659,831

G. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 mam??Gar/07l ZMJl [udd Feb, 21, 1923.; 1,659,831

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Feb. 21, 19280 1,65,832

a. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb.21, 1928. 1,659,831

a. w. MUDD PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5. 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

UNITED STA TES.

GARRETT W. MUDD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PACKAGING MACHINE.

Application filed December 8, 1826. Serial ll'o. 152,857.

This invention relates to improvements in packaging machines and one ofits objects s to provide an improved machine of th1s character forplacing containers lnto a box or carton for shipping or storagepurposes.

A further object is to provide an 1mproved machine of this characteroperating.

automatically to superpose a predetermined number of layers or rows ofcontainers, out of'contact with each other, at a delivery station andthen automatically and simultaneously ejecting the superposed rows ofcontainers into a carton or box.

A further object is to provide improved means for feeding the containersinto the machine and improved means for arrestin the incoming containersat predetermine times in the cycle of operation of the feeding mechanismWhile the operation of the feeding mechanism remains constant.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this characterembodying a carrier for receiving and carrying a plurality of rows ofcontainers to a position to be delivered from the machine into a box orcarton, and a conveyor for delivering the containers to the carrier, andmeans whereb the operation of the carrier will be automaticallycontrolled by the articles being fed thereto by the conveyor.

A further object is to provide an im roved machine of this characterwhich will e continuous in operation and which will be comparativelysimple, durable and compact in construction.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features ofnovelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangementof the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed andshown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and inwhich Figure 1 is a view in elevation taken from the discharge side ofthe machine.

Figure 2 is a view as taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view as taken on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View taken on line 44, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on l'ne 55, Figure 1, withparts omitted.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 66, Figure 1, withparts omitted.

Figure 7 is a view taken on line 7-7, Figure 1, partly in elevation andpartly in section with parts omitted.

Figure 8 is a detail view partly in perspect ve, partly broken away andpartly in sectlon of the controlling means for controlling the operationof the machine."

F1gure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure7. Referring more particularly to the draw ings the numeral 15designates suitable spaced uprights forming a supporting structure andarranged at any convenient position are a plurality of tubular dischar eoutlets or members 16 which are preferab y of a greater diameter at theinlet ends thereof as at 17, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.j

These tubular members are spaced from each other for an 1 suitabledistance so as to allow a carton to be sleeved over each and into whlchcarton the containers are adapted to be placed, the carton being removedfrom the respective tubular members by the contalners being placedtherein.

Obviously a support (not shown) will be arranged adjacent each of thesemembers on I to w ich the containers are delivered.

Arranged within the supporting structure so as to extend across thespace therebetween and ournaled in suitable bearings are shafts 18-19arranged one above the other and suitably spaced.

Carried by the respective shafts and preferably adjacent the inner facesof the uprights 15 are sprocket wheels 20-21.

An endless flexible member 22 passes over the respective co-operatingsprocket wheels 20-21. These endless members are preferably formed oflinks pivotally connected together by pins or pivots 23 which areadapted to enter the space between the teeth of the sprocket wheels asthe sprocket wheels are rotated.

Carried by the links are members 24 and the links together with themembers 24 and sprockets constitute a carrier adapted to receive thearticles or containers and carry them to the delivery or discharge pointin the machine adjacent the tubular member 16.

The members 24 extend across the space between the endless members 22while the pins 23 preferably extend laterally from the inks only asufiicient distance to be seated in the space or recesses betweenadjacent teeth of the sprocket wheels.

The carrier thus formed ma be provided with any desired number of b adesor members 24 which are so spaced that the containers may be fed to thecarrier'in an upright position and as the carrier is intermittentlyoperated the containers will be advanced by the res ective members 24 sothat the bottoms o the containers will move along a guidewa 25preferably formed on an are escribe from the axis of the shaft 19. Thisguideway may be constructed of a single piece of material which extendsacrossv the space between the uprights 15, or if desired, may be formedof se arate members laterally 80 between the tubular members 16 awayportions 27 extending through their outer edges and into which cut awayportions 27 the member 26 projectsas the car- 80 means of a gear 28 rieris operated.

Motion is imparted to the carrier by see particularly Figures 1 and 3)carrie b the shaft 18 for rotation therewith, and t is gear 28 mesheswith a pinion gear 29 loosely mounted upon a shaft 30. Secured to thegear 29 for ro- 85 tation therewith and loosely mounted upon the shaft30, is a disc 31 which has ivotally mounted thereupon and for bodi yrotation therewith a dog 32 which is controlled by a spring 33. Looselymounted upon the shaft 30 and in proximity to the disc 31 is a toothedor ratchet wheel 34 and connected with the ratchet wheel 34 for rotationtherewith and loosely mounted upon the shaft 30, is a sprocket ear 35.

An endless sprocket c ain 36 (see Figure 2) passes over the sprocketgear 35 and also over another sprocket wheel 37, to be hereinafterdescribed. One run of the sprocket chain 36 also passes over a sprocketwheel 38 loosely mounted u on the shaft 19 and to which sprocket wheei38 a pulley 39 is connected for rotation therewith so that when thepulley 39 is. rotated from any suitable source of power (not shown)motion will 55 be imparted to the sprocket chain 36.

If desired the sprocket chain may also pass over an idle pulley 40',preferably arranged adjacent the shaft 30.

It will therefore be seen that when the .60 dog 32 is in engagement withthe ratchet wheel 34 will also be rotated and this ratchet eheu 34 willbe locked to the disc 31 to tate the latter through the medium of thedog 32 which will cause the pinion gear 29 to rotate and this willimpart a rotary movement to the gear 28 and the shaft 18, so that thecarrier 22 will be moved so long as the dog 32 remains in lockedengagement with the ratchet 34. Y

It is desired, however, that the carrier 22 shall have only anintermittent operation and therefore it is necessary to rovide meanswhich will, at predetermined times in the cycle of operation of themachine, move the dog 32 out of locking or active engagement withrespect to the ratchet 34 was to unlock the pinion gear 29 and disc 31with respect to. the sprocket gear 35.

This is accom lished by means of a trip 40 (see particu arly Figure 3)which is adapted, at predetermined times in the cycle of operation ofthe machine, to be positioned in the path of movement of the tail 41 ofthe dog 32, or in the position shown in Figure 3.

The disc 31, when locked for rotation, will move in the directionindicated by the arrow, and as the trip 40 is arranged within the pathof movement of the tail 41 of the dog 32 it will be manifest that whenthe tail strikes the trip the dog 32 will be rocked about its pivot withrespect to the disc 31, against the stress of the spring 33 and therebynot only unlock the disc with respect to the sprocket gear 35, but willhold the disc and pinion gear 29 against rotation. 4

The trip 40 is pivotally mounted as at 42 and is adapted to be rockedabout its pivot in a manner which will be presently described.

Thus it will be seen that each time the pinion gear 29 is locked withthe sprocket gear 35 the carrier 22 will be advanced. The trip 40 isadapted to be so positioned that it will render the dog 32 inoperativeupon each complete revolution of the disc 31 so that the carrier 22 willbe given one step of rotation.

Obviously the extent of movement of such step will be controlled by theratio or proportion between the pinion gear 29 and the gear 28 which isconnected with the shaft 18.

In the present form of the invention the ratio is nine to one, so thatupon each rotation of the pinion gear 29 the shaft 18 will be moved astep to equal one-ninth of the complete rotation of the shaft.

The operation of the carrier 22 is controlled by the containers whichare being fed into the machine, and this is accomplished in thefollowing manner.

The containers are fed into the machine by means of an endless conveyor43 of any suitable type, here shown as an endless flexible conveyor, onerun of which moves over a suitable support 44 and the runs of theconveyor are such that the containers will preferably rest upon theirends in an upright position thereupon, the conveyors passing oversuitable sprocket wheels 45-46.

The ends of the guides (see particularly Figure 5) terminate adjacentthe path of movement of the run of the conveyor upon which thecontainers rest so that the containers may be ejected laterally from theconveyors into engagement with the guides 25 to be moved thereacross bythe members 24 of the carrier 22.

The containers are frictionally held upon the conveyor by the weight ofthe container, and therefore in order to prevent crowding of thecontainers as they are being fed and to maintain them in properalinement upon the conveyor, a stop 47 is provided which is pivotallymounted as at 48, and connected with the stop is a weighted arm ormember 49 which tends normally to hold the stop in the position shown inFigure 5. An arm 50 is preferably connected with the stop and anadjusting or stop screw 51 is connected with the arm for limiting themovement of the stop in one direction.

This guide may be of a continuous member or formed by spacedprojections,and is so arranged that it will hold the containers in proper alinement.

When the feeding of the containers is arrested, the carrier 22 will beoperated and one of the members 24 will engage the arrested andpositioned containers and move them bodily in a lateral direction fromthe conveyor into engagement With the guide 47, the latter beingdeflected or depressed against the stress of the weighted arm 49, by thecontact of the containers therewith so as to permit the containers to bemoved across the guides 25, the member 26 dividing the supply ofcontainers thus fed so that a portion of the supply will be directedinto each of the discharge members or spouts 16.

As the containers are fed by the conveyor 43 into the machine they willsuccessively contact with a rotatable member or wheel 52 seeparticularly Figure 6), which is mounted or free movement and is securedto an upright shaft 53, the periphery of the member 52 being cut away orshaped as at 54 to provide pockets for receiving one of the containers55. Thus as the containers are advanced by the conveyor 43 the member 52will be rotated thereby.

Connected with the shaft 53 is a disc 56 (see particularly Figures 1, 7and 8) which is provided with a slot 57, the disc being rotatable withthe shaft when the member 52 is rotated by the containers.

In order to arrest the advancement of the containers by the conveyor 43and after a predetermined number of containers have been fed into themachine, all that is necessary is to maintain the element 52 againstrotation.

This is accomplished by means of a dog 58 which is pivotally mounted asat 59 to a fixed support. The end 60 of the do being adapted to engageand rest upon t e surface of the disc 56, but when the slot or opening57 in the disc is in alinement with the end 60 of the dog, the end ofthe dog will drop into the slot and the disc will be lockedagainstrotation. This will lock the shaft 53 and member 52 againstrotation.

In order to again permit the containers to be fed into the machine thedog 58 must be raised outof theslot 57 to unlock the member 52 and afterit is raised so as to disengage the slot, the member 57 will continue torotate the slot 57 againuntil it arrives in a position to receive theend of the do v The raising and lowering of this dog is effected bymeans of a shaft 61 which is journaled in suitable bearings andpreferably extends across the space between the uprights 15. Connectedwith the shaft 61 is a laterally projecting pin 62 which enters anelongated slot 63 in the dog 58 so that the dog 58 may be raised andlowered by rocking the shaft 61 about its axis.

Connected with the shaft is an arm 64 which is provided with a guide 65,and a spring 66 operates on the shaft by being connected to the arm 64and also to a fixed support, to tend normally to move the shaft 61 in adirection to permit the dog 58 to drop into the slot 57.

The dog will engage and rest upon the top of the disc 56 untilthe slotis in a position beneath the dog at which time the spring 66 will causethe dog to drop into the slot.

The shaft 61 is rocked in the following manner.

Pivotally connected by one end as at 67 to the trip 40 is a lever 68.The other end of the lever passes loosely into the guide 65 on the arm64, so that the lever 68 will be adapted for a vertical movement withrespect to the arm 64, but when the lever is rocked about its pivot 67so as to shift the lever laterally the arm 64 will be rocked and thiswill in turn rock the shaft 61 against the stress of the spring 66.

A spring 69 may be connected with the lever 68 b one end and anchored byits other end to a xed support, the spring 69 tending normally to movethe lever 68 in a direction to rock the trip 40 (see particularly Figure3) so that it will assume a position within the path of movement of thetail 41 of the dog 32.

PiVota-lly mounted upon a fixed support 70 and intermediate its ends asat 71 (see also Figure 2) is a lever 72. one end of which leverterminates adjacent the lever 68 and is adapted to be rocked about thepivot 71 to move the lever 68 laterally. This movement lsu suitablemanner but preferably by means of an arm or bracket 73 which isconnected with the lever 68, and a resilient member such as a spring 74is connected by one end with the lever 72 and by its other end with thearm 7 3.;

With this construction it will be manifest that when the lever 72 isrocked about the pivot 71 toward the left in Figure 2, the spring 74will, through the medium of the arm 7 3. shift the lever 68 laterally.

The lever 7 2 is adapted to be rocked about its ivot 71 by means of aprojection 75, pre erably in the form of an antl-frlction roller, on thedisc 31, the extremity 76 of the lever 72 being arranged within the pathof movement of the projection 75 when the disc 31 is rotated.

If desired an adjustable stop 77 ma be provided for limiting themovement 0 the lever 72 about its pivot in one direction.

Connected with the sprocket 37 for rotation therewith is a cam member 78(see particularly Figures 1, 2 and 3), having an suitable number of camsurfaces 79 whic are adapted to engage a roller 80 carrled by an arm 81that is pivotally mounted by one end as at 82. This arm 81- is adaptedto be reci rocated about its pivot 82 as the member 8 is rotated.

Carried by the lever 68 is a shoulder or formation 83, which when thelever 68 is moved laterally to the right in Figure 3, W111 be positionedin the path of movement of the end 84 of the arm 81 so that when the arm81 is then raised about its pivot 82 the end 84 will engage the shoulderor formation 83 to raise the lever 68 against the stress of the spring69 and thereby rock the trip 40 about its pivot 42 so as to permit thespring 33 to move the dog 32 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 34.This will lock the pinion gear 29 for rotation with'the sprocket gear35, with the result that the pinion gear 29 which meshes with the gear28 will rotate the latter and thereby advance the carrier 22. As soon asthe projection 75 passes out of engagement or contact with the end 76 ofthe lever 72, the levers 72 and 68 will assume their normal positionsand'the shoulder or formation 83 will be moved out of the path ofmovement of the end 84 of the arm 81, thereby causing the trip 40 to bepositioned in the path of movement of the tail 41 of the dog32 to tripthe latter and thereby unlock the pinion gear 29 so that the gear 28 andwith it the carrier 22 will remain idle.

The projection 7 5 is provided for the purpose of lifting the dog 58 outof the slot 57 in the disc 56 and the pawl 32 is tripped by the member40.

The member 40 is positioned to trip the pawl 32 by the dog 58 droppinginto the slot 57 of the disc 56.

. In other, words the dog 58 first dro in'toflthe slot57 in the disc 56to trip the og-32. 1 After this has ha pened the projection 75 leasingof the dog 32 to lock the pinion 29.

for rotation with the disc 31.

The rotation of the disc 31 is, as has been before set forth, controlledby the dog 58 and the disc 56.,

Therefore in order to control the operation of the carrier 22 so that apredetermined number of containers will be fed to the machine before thecarrier is advanced, it is only necessary to provide the disc 56 of apredetermined diameter, with the slot 57 properly located therein, andalso to provide the disc 52 of proper diameter.

The conveyor 43 which conveys the containers into the machine is alsoactuated from the sprocket 37 through the medium of a gear 85 (seeparticularly Figures 1 and 3) preferably in the form of a spiral gearwhich meshes with a spiral gear 86 carried by the shaft 87 to which thesprocket 86 is connected.

Inasmuch as the conveyor 43 is continuously operating and as the feedingof the containers into the machine is intermittently arrested it will bemanifest that by locking the feed controlling disc or element 52, thecontainers will be arrested in their advancing movement, but, inasmuchas the containers rest upon the conveyor 43 and are held in positionupon the conveyors for traveling movement by friction created by theweight of the container upon the conveyor, there will be'a slippingoperation of the conveyor 43 with respect to the containers when apredetermined number of containers are in position in the machine. Byreason of the guide 47 .a lateral crowding movement of the containerswill be avoided and the containers will be maintained in properalinement.

In the present form of the invention means have been provided wherebythe carrier-22 will be advanced three steps of movement so as to carryor position three rows of containers in front of the outlet opening 16by the members 24, and as indicated in Figure 5. 7

When these three rows or layers have reached this osition, they aresimultaneously ejected rom the carrier into the tubular members 16 to bepacked in a container.

This is accomplished in the following manner.

Connected with the continuously rotating sprocket wheel 38 (seeparticularly F1gures 2 and 3) is a ratchet or toothed wheel 88 and fastupon the shaft 19, adjacent each 0 the uprights 15, are eccentrics 8.9.

Pivotally mounted upon one of the cocentrics 89 and intermediate itsends is a dog 90 which is adapted to co-operate with and engage theteeth of the ratchet wheel 88. A spring 91 tends normally to move thedog 90 in a direction to engage the ratchet wheel so that as the ratchetwheel is continuously rotated with the sprocket 38, the dog 90 will lockthe eccentrics 89 and the shaft 19 for rotation with the sprocket wheel38.

The eccentrics 89 operate in eccentric straps 92 having arms 93 andthese arms 93 are respectively connected to levers 94 pivotally mountedby one end as at 95 upon the respective uprights 15. To the other endsof these levers 94 and on each side of the machine is pivotallyconnected by one end as at 96, a link 97 (see also Figures 1 and 6).

The other end of each of the links 97 is pivotally connected as at 98with slides 99 that move in suitable guideways 100 on the outsideuprights 15, the uprights being provided with slots 101 therethrough,through which the ends of a bar or member 102 are secured to the slides99. It will therefore be manifest that when the eccentrics 89 are lockedfor rotation with the sprocket gear 38 a reciprocatory movement will beimparted to the slides 99 and as these slides are moved forwardlyejector members 103, which are connected with the bar or member 102,will engage the containers which are supported by the members 24 inalinement with the delivery outlet 16, and simultaneously eject thethree rows or layers of containers from the members 24 into the tubularmembers 16. The portion 17 of the tubular members 16, which is of agreater diameter than the remaining portion of the tubular member isprovided so that the uppermost row of containers will be deflected anddirected into the tubular member.

Three of these ejector members 103 are provided and they may be formedin any suitable manner and are spaced one above the other in suchositions that when they are movai forwar ly to eject the containers theywill respectively move between two adjacent members 24.

In order that the rotation of the eccentrics 89 will not be interferedwith by the levers 68 and 72, these levers may be bowed or archedintermed ate their ends for that purpose.

To control the operation of the ejectors it is only necessary to controlthe locking and unlocking of the ratchet 88 by the dog 90. This isaccomplished by means of a lever 104 pivotally mounted at one end as at105, and carried by this lever is a shoulder or formation 106 (seeparticularly Figures 2 and 3), which is adapted to be moved 1nt o andout of the path of movement of the tall 107 of the dog 90 so that whenthis shoulder is in the path of movement of the tail 107,

and as the eccentric 89 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shownin Figure 3, the shoulder 106 will contact with the tail 107 and therebymove the dog 90 out of locking relation with the ratchet 88 and againstthe stress of the spring 91.

The lever 104 is rocked about its pivot 105 to accomplish this 0 erationby means of a member 108, prefera ly in the form of a disc which issecured to the gear 28 for rotation therewith, through the medium ofbolts and slots 109-110 to effect a proper relative adjustment andpositionin of the member 108, as well as a timing of the operation ofthe lever 104.

This member 108 is provided with a plurality of cam faces or portions111 and with recesses 112 intermediate the cam portions.

In'the present form of the invention each of the cam portions 111 is ofa suflicient length to permit of the operation of the carrier 22, in themanner already described, through three steps of movement before theejectors 103 are operated.

Pivotally connected with the lever 104, preferably by one end thereof asat 113, is another lever or arm 114, the extremity 115 of which latterarm is arranged so that it will stand in close proximity to theperiphery of the member 108 and also will be disposed in close proximitto a cam or formation 116 on the perip ery of the disc 31, and whichportion 116. is shaped to form a shoulder 117.

A link 118 is pivotally mounted as at 119 by one end upon a fixedsupport and is provided preferably with an anti-friction device 120 inthe form of a roller at its other end, which engages the periphery ofthe element 108. A link 121 is pivotally connected at one end as at 122with the link 118 and by its other end as at 123 with the lever or arm114. The links 118 and 122 serve as a means for supporting and holdingup the end 115 of the arm or lever 114 so that it will be disposednormally in close proximit to the periphery of the member 108. spring124 is connected at one end with the link 121 and at its other end withthe arm or lever 114 and assists in holding up the arm or lever 114 andalso the lever 104.

The normal tendency of the spring 124 is to move the shoulder 106 on thelever 104 into the path of movement of the tail 107 of the dog 90 so asto trip the latter.

A latch member 125 is pivotally mounted by one end and its other end 126is disposed so that a spring 127 will tend normally to l contact withthe notch or recess 128 in the move the end 126 against the peri hery ofthe disc 31. This end of the late 125 is provided with a notch or recess128 into which one edge of the end 115 of the arm or lever 114 isadapted to enter, when the roller 120 drops into one of the recesses orcut away portions 112 of the member 108.

When the parts are in full line position shown in Figure 3, that is withthe edge of the end 115 of the arm or lever 114 out of latch 125, theshoulder 117 on the formation on the disc 31 will have assumed aposition to permit the extremit 126 of the latch 125 to pass under theshou der 117. This will be the position of the parts until the gear 28has rotated sufficiently to cause the roller 120 to move over one of thecam portions of the member 108 to a position where it will drop into orenter one of the recesses or cut away portions 112. During this movementof the roller 120, as has been before stated, the carrier 22 will haveto move three steps of movement or until it has assumed the positionshown in Figure 5. As

the roller 120 is traveling over the cam faces 111 the shoulder 106 onthe lever 104 will hold the dog 90 in an inoperative position so thatthe carrier will not be advanced until the dog 90 is released.

As soon as the roller 120 drops into one of the recesses or cut awayportions 112 on the member 108 the link 118 will be lowered and thislink will, through the vmedium of the link 121, rock the arm or lever114 about its pivot 113 or until the end 115 enters the notch or recess128 in the extremity 126 of the latch 125. The shoulder 106 on the lever104 will still be in a position to hold the dog 90 in an inactiveposition. the parts in this position it will be manifest that when thedisc 31 is then rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow inFigure 3, the cam or formation 116 will engage behind the end of thelatch 125 and shift it about its pivot, which movement will ,depress orniove the arm 114 longitudinally against the stress of the spring 124.This will rock the lever 104 about its pivot 105 and will move theshoulder 106 out of engagement with the tail 107 of the dog 90 torelease the latter so that the spring 91 will cause the dog 90 to lockthe eccentric v 89 with the ratchet 88, with the result that theeccentric 89 will be rotated and the ejectors 103 will be reciprocated.

J As soon as the cam or formation 116 passes out of engagement with thelatch 125 the end 126 of the latch will be moved into contact with theperiphery of the disc 31 through the medium of the spring 127 and thearm or lever "114 will be moved from the dotted line position to thefull line position shown in Figure 3, by the roller 120 passing out ofthe recess or notch 112 in the With member 128 on to the cam surface111,

thereby positioning the shoulder 106 on the lever 104 so that it willengage the tail 107 of the dog 90 to tri the latter upon the completionof the eye e of operation of the eccentric 89.

Thus, it will be seen that u on the completion of the 'predeterminenumber of steps of advancing movement of the carrier 22 the ejectors 103will be actuated to eject the superposed layers of containers held b thecarrier and deliver them into the tu ular members 16 so that the nextseries of containers which are ejected from the carrier, will advancethe previously deposited layers of containers in the tubular members 16.

This operation is repeated until the desired numberof containers havebeen ejected into the carton and as the last layer of containers isplaced into the carton, the carton will be completely stripped from thetubular members 16 with the containers therein and delivered upon asuitable support arranged adjacent the tubular members 16 for thatpurpose.

In order to arrest the feeding movement of the containers intothemachine and past the member 52, during the advancing movement of theejector, there is provided a latch 129 referably in the form of a bar orrod, SlldtEJlG in suitable bearings 130 (see particularly Figure 7), thelower extremity 131 of which is disposed in close proximity to the upperface of the member 52. The member 52 is provided with a shoulder or stop133 projecting thereabove into the path of movement of which the end 131of the latch 129 is adapted to be positioned.

The latch is normally held elevated by means of a spring 133 so that themember 52 may be freely rotated until the ejectors 103' start tooperate. At that time a beveled or inclined face 134 on the slide 99 andin the path of movement of which face the end 135 of the latch 129 isnormally positioned, will engage the end of the latch and depress thesame against the stress of the spring 133, thereby holding the extremity131 of the latch in the path of movement of the shoulder 132 so as tolock the member 52 against rotation.

When the slide 99 recedes so as to pass out of engagement of the end 135of the latch 129, the latter will be automatically raised by the spring133 so that the disc or member 52 will be free to rotate.

If desired and as a means for manually operating the latch 129, aneccentric 136 may be provided. This eccentric has connected with it alink 137 provided with a deflected portion 138 having an aperture 139passing therethrough and through which aperture the latch 129 freelypasses.

A handle 140 may be connected to the eecentric and arranged in aconvenient position for the operator, so that by actuatin the handle 140the end 138 of the link 13? will engage a pin or shoulder 141 on thelatch 129 and depress the same against the stress of the spring 133.

It is thought that the operation of this machine will be clearlyunderstood from the foregoing description, but briefly stated it is asfollows. The machine is first filled by hand, that is the articles areplaced upon the conveyor 43 until the predetermined number of articlesare in position to be advanced by the first movement of the carrier 22.

The rotatable element 52 (see Figure 6) is then operated by hand untilthe indication A assumes a predetermined position with respect to themachine. At this time the disc 56 (Figure 8) will be positioned so thatwhen the element 52 is moved for a short distance the dog 58 will dropinto the slot 57. This will rock the shaft 61 and actuate the lever 68so as to move the shoulder 83 on the lever 68 into the path of movementof the end 84 of the arm or member 81, the latter being elevated by therotation of the member 78 so that the end 84 will engage the shoulder 83on the lever 68 to raise the latter and thereby rock the trip about thepivot 42 to release the dog 32 so that the pinion 29 will be locked withthe disc 31 for rotation.

The gear 28 will then be rotated as long as the pinion gear 29 is lockedwith the disc 31. Just before the completion of one cycle of rotation ofthe disc 31 the projection 75 will engage the end 76 of the lever 72 torock the lever about its pivot 71 and thereby move the lever 68laterally so as to move the shoulder 83 out of the path of movement ofthe end 84 of the arm or lever 81. This will rock the shaft 61 againstthe influence of the spring 66 so that the end of the dog 58 will restupon the top of the disc 56 so as to drop into the slot 57 when the slotis in a position to receive the dog. The member 52 will then be lockedagainst operation and the feeding movement of the containers or articlesinto the machine by the conveyor 43 will be arrested while the conveyorwill still continue to operate.

The intermittent movement of the carrier 22 will continue until theroller 120 (see Figure 3) on the link or lever 118 drops into one of therecesses 112 in the disc or member 108.

When this roller drops into this recess the link 121 will move the leveror arm 114 so that the extremity 115 thereof will enter the notch 128 ofthe latch 125. The cam or formation 116 will then, upon the rotation ofthe disc 31, move the latch 125 about its pivot to shift the lever 114longitudinally, with the result that the lever 104 will be rocked aboutits pivot 105 to move the shoulder or formation 106 on the lever 104 outof engagement with the tail 107 of the dog 90 thus allowing he dog 90 tolock the cocentrics 89 with t e ratchet 88, so that the eccentrics willbe rotated to actuate the ejectors 103, thereby dislodging or moving thecontainers or articles off of the members or supports 24 on the carrier22.

When the ejectors 103 recede or are withdrawn to their normal positionthe roller 120 on the link or lever 118 will then pass out of the recess112 on to one of the cam faces 111, thereby moving the end 115 of thelever or arm 114 out of contact with the latch 125 so that when the disc3]. is then rotated the operation of the latch 125 by the cam orformation 116 will not affect or move the arm or lever 114 therebyallowing the lever 104 to remain in a position that the shoulder 106will trip the dog 90 and hold the dog tripped to render the eccentrics89 inactive.

It will therefore be seen that upon the completion of three steps ofadvancing movement of the carrier 22 the eccentrics 89 will be renderedactive to operate the ejectors 103.

While the present machine has been described in connection with thepackaging of containers into a carton, it is of course to be understoodthat any other articles may be handled by the machine, and while thepreferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, itis to be understood that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and in the combination and arrangement of the severalparts, within the scope of the claims. without departing from the spiritof this invention.

What is claimed as new is 1. A packaging machine embodying a carrier forreceiving and holding a supply of articles, means for intermittentlyadvancing the carrier, means for feeding the articles to the carrier,mean-s controlled by the articles being fed to the machine forcontrolling the actuation of the carrier, means for ejecting thearticles from the carrier, and means whereby the feed of the articles tothe carrier may be intermittently arrested while the operation of thefeeding means remains constant.

' 2. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and holdingasupply of articles, means for intermittently advancing the carrier.means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means controlled by thearticles being fed to the machine for controlling the actuation of thecarrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articles from thecarrier, and means responsive in its operation to the operation of thesaid ejecting means for arresting the feed of the articles to the saidcarrier.

3. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and holding asupply of articles, means for intermittently advancing the carrier,means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means controlled by thearticles being fed to the machine for controlling the actuation of thecarrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articles from thecarrier, and means responsive in its operation to the operation of thesaid ejecting means for arresting the feed of-the articles to the saidcarrier and While the operation of the said article feeding meansremains constant.

4. A packaging machine embodyin a traveling conveyor for conveying theartlcles into the machine, a carrier operating across the conveyor forreceiving the articles from the'conveyor and for conveying them to adischarging station, means operating to maintain the articles inalinement upon the conveyor and against lateral crowding movement andagainst the stress of which means the articles may be moved laterally bythe said carrier, means for intermittently operating the carrier, andmeans for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

5. A packaging machine embodying a travelling conveyor for conveying thearticles into the machine, a carrler operating across the conveyor forreceiving the articles from the conveyor and for conveying them to adischarging station, means operating to maintain the articles inalinement upon the conveyor and against lateral crowding movement andagainst the stress of which means the articlesmay be moved laterally bythe said carrier, means controlled by the articles being fed by the saidconveyor for intermittently actuating the carrier, and means forejecting the articles from the carrier.

6. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articlesinto the machine, a carrier, members operating transversely of andacross the conveyor for successively receiving suppliesof articles fromthe conveyor and for carrying them to a discharging station, means forintermittently operating carrier means automatically rendered active bythe articles themselves at a predetermined time in the cycle ofoperation of the machine for arrestin the feed of the articles by theconveyor wlile the operation of the conveyor remains constant, and meansfor ejecting the art cles from said carrier.

7, A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articlesinto the machine, a carrier, said carrier embodying members operatingtransversely of an across the conveyor for successively receivingsupplies of articles from the conveyor and for carrying them to adischarge station, means for intermittently operatln the carrier, meansa-utomatlcally rendere acsaid carrier embodying tive at a predeterminedtime in the cycle of operation of the machine for arresting the feed ofthe articles by the conveyor while the operation of the conveyor remainscon stant, means for rendering the last said means active at will, andmeans for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

8. A packaging machine embodying aconveyor for feeding the articles intothe machine, a carrier, said carrier embodyin members operatingtransversely of an across the conveyor for successively receivingsupplies of articles from the conveyor.

and for carrying them to a discharging station means for intermittentlyoperating the carrier, a stationary vuard co-operating with the saidmembers and extending along a ortion of the path of movement of the memers for assisting in placing the said articles upon the respective saidmembers of the carrier as the latter is actuated, means for arrestin thefeed of the articles to the carrier, an means for ejecting the articlesfrom the carrier.

9. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articlesinto the machine, a carrier, said carrier embodying members operatingtransversely of and across the conveyor for successively receivingsupplies of articles from the conveyor and for carrying them to adischarging station, means for lntermittently operating the carrier, astationary guard co-operating with the said members and extending alonga portion of the path of movement of the members for 'asslsting inplacing the said articles upon the respective said members of thecarrier as the latter is actuated, means for alining the articles beingfed by the carrier and for maintaining the, articles against lateralcrowding movement, the last recited means yielding under the stress ofthe articles when moved from the conveyor by the respective members ofthe said carrier, means for arresting the feed of the-articles to thecarrier, and means for ejecting the articles from the carrier.

10. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for delivering the articlesto the machine, a carrier embodying spaced members movable transverselyacross the conveyor for receiving the articles therefrom and forcarrying them to a discharging station, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articlesfrom the carrier, means for intermittently arresting the feed of thearticles by the conveyor, and additional means responsive in itsoperation to the actuation of the said ejecting means for controllingthe feed of the articles to the machine.

11. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for delivering the articlesto the machine, a carrier embodying spaced members movable transverselyacross the conveyor for receiving the articles therefrom and forcarrying them to a discharging station, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier, means for intermittently ejecting the articlesfrom the carrier, means for intermittently arresting the feed of thearticles by the conveyor and additional means controllable at will forcontrolling the feed of the articles to the machine.

12. A packa ing machine embodying a conveyor for eeding the articlesinto the machine, an endless carrier embodying members spaced throughoutthe length of the car: rier, said members operating transversely acrossthe said conveyor for successively receiving separate supplies of.articles therefrom and for supporting and carrying the supplies to acommon discharging station,

' a guard arranged along a portion of the path of movement of saidmembers for receiving the articles from the carrier as they are movedfrom the carrier by the said members, said guard also assisting inlacing the articles upon the respective said members, means forintermittently operating the said carrier, and means for simultaneouslyejecting the supplies of articles held by a plurality of the saidmembers of the carrier.

13. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articlesinto the machine, an endless carrier embodying members spaced throughoutthe length of the carrier, said members operating transversely acrossthe said conveyor for successively receiving separate supplies ofarticles therefrom and for supporting and carrying the supplies to acommon discharging station, a guard arranged along a portion of the pathof movement of said members for receiving the articles from the carrieras they are removed from the carrier by the said members, said guardalso assisting in placing the articles upon the respective said members,means for intermittently operating the said carrier, ejecting means, andmeans for intermittently actuating the said ejecting means after apredetermined number of steps of movement of the said carrier forsimultaneously ejecting the supplies of articles held by a plurality ofthe said members of the carrier.

14. A packaging machine embodying a conveyor for feeding the articlesinto the machine, an endless carrier embodying mem bers spacedthroughout the length of the carrier, said members operatingtransversely across the said conveyor for successively receivingseparate supplies of articles therefrom and for supporting and carryingthe supplies to a common discharging station, a guard arranged along aortion of the path of movement of said mem ers for asslsting in placingthe articles upon the respective said members, means for intermittentlyoperating the said carrier, means for simultaneously ejecting thesupplies of articles held by a plurality of the said members of thecarrier, and means controlled by the'articles being fed by the saidconveyor for arresting the feed of the articles by the conveyor and forcontrolling the operation of the said carrier while the operatlon of thesaid conveyor remains constant.

15 A packaging macliine embodying a carrier, a conveyor for conveyingthe articles to the carrier, a freely rotatableelement arranged alongthe path of movement of" the articles by the conveyor and adapted besuccessively engaged and rotated by the articles as they are advanced bythe carrier, means for actuating the carrier, and means influenced bythe rotation of said element for locking the element against rotation toarrest the feeding movement of the articles to the machine.

16. A packaging machine embodying a carrier, a conveyor for conveyingthe articles to the carrier, a freely rotatable element arranged. alongthe path of movement of the articles by the conveyor andada ted to besuccessive] engaged and rotated y the articles as they are advanced bythe carrier, means for actuating the carrier, and means influenced bythe rotation of said element for locking the element against rotation toarrest the feeding movement of'the articles to the machine and forcontrolling the operation of the said carrier.

17. A packaging machine embodying a carrier, a conveyor for conveyingthe articles to the carrier, a freely rotatable element arranged alongthe path of movement of the articles by the conveyor and adapted to besuccessively engaged and rotated by the articles as they are advanced bythe carrier, means for actuating the carrier, means influenced by therotation of said element for locking the element against rotation toarrest the feeding movement of the articles to the machine, means forejecting the articles from the carrier, and additional means responsivein its operation to the operation of the said ejecting means for alsolooking the said rotatable element against operation.

18. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, a conveyorfor conveying the articles to the carrier, a rotatable element arrangedalong the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor and adaptedto be successively en aged and rotated by the articles to permit them tobe advanced b the conveyor, a disc rotatable with the e ement and havingan opening therein, an additional element adapted to enter said openingwhen the said disc assumes a predetermined position with respect theretoto arrest the feed of said articles, and means controlled by theoperation of said additional element for controlling the ,enter saidopening whenthe said disc assumes a predetermined position with respectthereto to arrest the feed of said articles, and means controlled by theoperation of said additional element for controlling and arrest-ing theoperation of the said carrler.

20. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the varticles, aconveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a rotatable elementarranged along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor andadapted to be successively engaged and rotated by the articles to permitthem to be advanced by the conveyor, a disc rotatable with the elementand having an opening therein, an additional element adapted to entersaid opening when the said disc assumes a predetermined position withrespect thereto to arrest the feed of said articles, means controlled bythe operation of said additional element for controlling the operationof certain mechanisms in said machine, and additional means controllableat will for locking the said rotatable element against rotation.

21. A packaging machine embodying a. carrier for the articles, aconveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier, a rotatable elementarranged along the path of movement of the articles by the conveyor andadapted to be successively engaged and rotated by the articles to permitthem to be advanced by the conveyor, 3. disc rotatable with the elementand having an opening therein, an additional element adapted to entersaid opening when the said disc aS- sumes a predetermined position withrespect thereto to arrest the feed of said articles,

means controlled by the operation of said additional element forcontrolling the operation. of certain mechanismsin said machine, anejector for ejecting the articles from said carrier, and means resonsive in its operation to the operation 0 the said ejector for lockingthe said rotatable element against rotation.

22. A packaging machine embodyinga carrier, said carrier embodying acarrier element, a conveyor for conveying the articles to the carrier,means for intermittently actuating the carrier, an ejector for e ectingthe articles from the carrier, means for mamas;

termittently actuating the ejector, the last said means embodying aratchet and pawl for rendering the ejector active, a cam deviceconnected with the said carrier-element,

an element actuated by the cam device, and a pivotally mounted elementoperatively connected with the last recited element and movable into thepath of movement of the pawl to render the pawl inactive with respect tothe ratchet, said pivotally mounted element being movable out of thepath of movement of the pawl to release the latter and render the sameactive with respect to the ratchet.

23. A packaging machine embodying a carrier, said carrier embodying arotatable carrier element, a conveyor for conveying the articles to thecarrier, means for intermittently actuating the carrier, an ejector forejecting the articles from the carrier, means for intermittentlyactuating the ejector, the last said means embodying a; ratchet and pawlfor rendering the ejector active, a cam device connected with the saidcarrier element, an element actuated by the cam device, a pivotallymounted element operatively connected with the last recited element andmovable into the path ofmovement of the pawl to render the pawl inactivewith respect to the ratchet, said pivotally mounted element beingmovable out of the path of movement of the pawl to release the latterand render the same active with respect to the ratchet, and meansresponsive in its operation to the articles being fed to the machine forcontrolling the operation of the said cam device.

24. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, a conveyorfor feeding the articles to the carrier, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier, said means embodying a ratchet and a bodilymovable pawl, said pawl being adapted to be rendered active and inactivewith respect to the ratchet, an element adapted to be intermittentlypositioned in the path of movement of a portion of the said pawl torender the pawl inactive with respect to the ratchet, a reciprocablearm, a shoulder connected with the said element and adapted to bepositioned in the path of movement of the-said reciprocable arm forpositioning the said element to render the awl active, and meanscontrolled by the fee ing of the articles to the machine for thuspositioning the said shoulder.

25. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, a conveyorfor feed-% ing the articles to the carrier, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier, said means embodying a ratchet and a bodilymovable pawl, said pawl being adapted to be rendered active and inactivewith respect to the ratchet, an element adapted to be intermittentlypositioned in the path of movement of a portion of the said pawl torender 26. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles,means for feeding the articles to the carrier, means for intermlttentlyoperating the carrier, said means embodying a gear element connectedwith the carrier, a normally inactive gear meshlng with said gearelement, a rotatable support, a pawl and co-operating ratchet member,said pawl and ratchet member being connected one with the said rotatablesupport and the other with the said normally in active gear, meanstending normally .to render the pawl and ratchet members actlve withrespect to each other whereby said normally inactive gear will berotated with the said support to actuate the carrier, a trip adapted tobe positioned to render the pawl inactive at a predetermined time in thecycle of operation of the machine, and means controlled by the articlesbeing fed to the carrier for controlling the operation of the said tri 27. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means forfeeding the articles to the carrier, means for intermittently operatingthe carrier, said means embodying a gear element connected with thecarrier, a normally inactive gear meshing with said gear element, arotatable support, a pawl and co-operating ratchet member, said pawl andratchet member being connected one with the said rotatable support andthe other with the said normally inactive gear, means tending normallyto render the pawl and ratchet member active with respect to each otherwhereby said normally inactive gear will be rotated with the saidsupport to actuate the carrier, means operating automatically to renderthe pawl inactive at a predeterminedtime in the cycle of operation ofthe said support, an ejector for ejecting the articles from the carrier,and means responsive in its operation to the operation of the saidsupport for rendering the ejecting means active.

28. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means foractuating the carrier, a rotatable element operatively connected withthe said means, e'ecting means for ejecting the articles from t ecarrier, means for intermittently rendering the said ejecting meansactive, the last recited means embodying a shiftable arm, meansconnected with the said rotatable element 1 and into the path ofrotation of which means the said shiftable arm is adapted to. bepositioned to be shifted thereby, and means responsive in its 0 erationto the operation of the said carrier or thus positioning the saidshiftable member. v

29. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for the articles, means foractuating the carrier, a rotatable element operatively connected withthe said means, ejecting means for ejecting the articles from thecarrier, means for intermittently rendering the said e ecting meansactive, the last recited means embodying a shiftable arm, meansconnected with the said rotatable element and into the path of rotationof which means the said shiftable arm is adapted to be positioned to beshifted thereby, a cam device operatively connected with said carrier,said cam device having an active and an inactive portion, and acontrolling mem ber operatively connected with the said shiftable arm,said controlling member operating when in engagement with the inactiveportion of the cam device, to position the arm into the path of movementof the said means carried by the said rotatable element to be shiftedthereby and also operating when in engagement with the active portion ofthe cam device to move and maintain the said arm out of the path ofmovement of the said means that is carried by the said rotatableelement.

30. A packaging machine having a discharge station, means for supportinga plurality of containers adjacent said station, a carier for receivingand conveying the articles to said station, and means for ejecting thesupply of articles from said carrier, portion of the said supply ofarticles being simultaneously delivered into each of said containers.

31. In a packaging machine means for holding a plurality of containersadjacent the delivery station of the machine, means for carrying thearticles to the station, and means for ejectin the articlessimultaneously into two di erent containers.

32. machine of the character described embodying a carrier for receivingthe re ceptacles at a low elevation and operating to raise them to adelivery station at a higher elevation, and means for ejecting thereceptacles from the carrier at the said delivery station.

33. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving and conveyingthe 34. A packaging machinev embodying a carrier for receiving andsimultaneously, conveying .a plurality of layers of articles .to adelivery station, means for sup' orting 5 a container adjacent saidstation, an means for simultaneously ejecting all of said layers ofarticles into said container.

35. A packaging machine embodying a carrier for receiving a plurality ofsuper- 10 posed layers of articles and for conveying them to a deliverystation, means for supsimultaneously directing portions of said articlesinto two diflerent containers.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s ecification, onthis 18th day of November, D. 1926.

GARRETT W. MUDD.

